Side-Hustle Your Way to Graduation: Top Part Time Jobs for Students in USA

If you are planning to go abroad for higher education, part-time jobs as a student are a lucrative and significant consideration. Not only does it give you some extra pocket money for weekend hangouts and small trips across the new country, but it also allows you to feel confident by doing something meaningful in your leisure.
Many students, after being enrolled in a university in the US, wish to work part-time to make up for extra expenses and widen their social connections in the new setting they have migrated to.
So, have you got the scholarship, packed your bags for the flight towards your dream university, but are still unsure about how to occupy yourself in your leisure? Look no further, for here we will explore the top 10 part-time jobs in the USA for students.
From remote desk-based work to flexible retail industry jobs, we have something for every student. These jobs will set you on the right track of self-exploration and skill development so that you can carve out a nascent career path right while you are getting your degree!
Table of Contents
ToggleRules for working in part-time jobs for students in the USA
First things first: Can you work off-campus as a student in the USA? What rules do you have to follow? Below are the guidelines students in the US have to follow while pursuing part-time jobs.
On-campus
- Students in the USA are allowed to work on campus upto 20 hours per week, when the school is in session. This applies as long as the F-1 status is still valid for the student.
- During breaks and times of vacation, you can work full-time if you plan to enroll in classes for the next semester.
- If you are an international student, your employer cannot replace you with an American student.
Off-campus
- Your F-1 status has to stay valid.
- To work off-campus. You must get the proper OPT or CPT work authorization related to your area of study.
- You may be allowed to work off-campus if you are facing serious financial constraints.
Top 10 part-time jobs for students in the USA
Sales representative
Working as a sales representative can be good if you have strong communication skills. This is one of the best and most convenient part-time jobs for students in the USA. You will have to promote or sell products or services. You can earn from $10 to $25 per hour in this job. This is also a flexible opportunity as you will get to travel from place to place on the lookout for clients.
Bartender
Bartending is also among the fun and exciting part-time jobs in the USA. If you love the groovy party environments, you can work as a bartender in bars, pubs, restaurants, and even hotels. For this, you can prepare and serve drinks. As a bartender, you can work from $10 to $20 per hour in the USA if you are a student working part-time for the job.
Barista
Being a barista can also be a fun experience for part-time work in the US. Your job is to make coffee and serve it. If you have a passion for brewing, this can earn some extra money for your weekend plans! The job will pay from $9 to $15 per hour. This is a very popular job for those who like the art of coffee-making.
Tutor
Being a tutor part-time is also among the most convenient part-time work opportunities for students in the USA. You can tutor children or younger students in the areas where you are knowledgeable. From math, science, English, history, and geography, there are never enough tutors for all the students! Tutoring is a high-earning job, but also a little demanding, as you will have to do your bit of studying too. You can earn from $15 to $40 per hour in this job.
Customer service
In this job, you have to assist customers, answer their questions, and provide needed support. Many companies hire part-time employees as customer service assistants in the US. You can earn from $10 to $20 per hour with this job.
Freelancer
Freelancing can be in any field, done part-time, from content writing, marketing, graphic design, and much more. Being a part-time freelancer is easy and convenient. Â In this job, you can work right from home. As a freelancer, you can earn $15 to $40 per hour.
Research study assistant
This job is typically found in academic institutions, healthcare centers, or research organizations. You will need to provide support to the studies conducted by researchers, and you can earn $12 to $20 per hour by helping research teams and investigators part-time.
Waiter/waitress
As a waiter/waitress, you will be taking and serving orders at restaurants or cafes. This is one of the most popular student part-time jobs in the US, paying from $8 to $15 per hour.
Receptionist
As a receptionist, you will have to manage the front desk of an office or company, greet visitors, receive phone calls, schedule appointments, and provide general support. Many healthcare and hospitality centers, retail outlets, and other organizations hire receptionists for help. The job can pay from $10 to $18 per hour.
Babysitter
If you love spending time with children, babysitting is also one of the easy part-time job opportunities available for students in the US. For this, you have to keep the children entertained and safe while helping them with daily tasks. This job can pay from $12 to $20 per hour.
The bottom line
From freelancing to sales, waitering to babysitting, there are many part time job opportunities for students in the USA. Make sure that you have the required documents and permissions to work on or off campus and you can easily make some extra money to explore and hangout with your friends!